BajaNomad

Lizard I.D.

oxxo - 8-13-2008 at 01:00 PM

The large lizards are particularly prolific this summer. Adults are about 24 inches long, dark gray with dark brown banding, and baggy skin. They hang out in lawn and shrubbery areas. The Mexican gardners call them Iguanas, but I'm not sure that is correct. Any ideas about what they are?

Thanks

Osprey - 8-13-2008 at 01:41 PM

Most of em are spiney tailed iguanas but there are some chukawallas around here too. the juveniles are brilliant green. Photos later

Juvenile lizard photo

Osprey - 8-13-2008 at 01:48 PM

Juvenile spiney tailed iguana

Green Lizard.jpg - 38kB

oxxo - 8-13-2008 at 02:10 PM

Thanks, Osprey. these look like the guys, but the babies are definitely not green, more like dark grey/brown like the adults.

Neal Johns - 8-13-2008 at 02:24 PM

By the description, it is the Baja Stick Lizard. As you probably know, this species carries a sharp stick around, sticks it in the sand and climbs up it to keep out of the hot sand.

It sounds harmless but for reasons unexplained, every few years this lizard comes together in a large group (called a zard) and marches northward. It has been reported in a northern Baja newspaper that several Americans have been attacked in previous years.

The Bush Administration has erected a new fence along the border of Baja to keep them where they belong. It is uncertain if there will be holes or gates to allow human passage north, although there is empirical evidence that it is happening.

Neal “Trust Me” Johns

Copy of Copy of STICKL~1.JPG - 49kB

Lizard ID

tehag - 8-13-2008 at 02:37 PM

Maybe this one? Desert iguana - Dipsosaurus dorsalis. Fairly common in Baja Sur.

longlegsinlapaz - 8-13-2008 at 03:03 PM

Try this site: http://www.kidsbiology.com/animals-for-children.php?animal=H...

I rescued the first horned Lizard I've ever seen from the dogs a couple nights ago....must be the season.

Sorry!!!! Don't know how to fix that, so cut 'n paste until Grover wanders by to sweetly correct the error of my ways!:lol:

[Edited on 8-13-2008 by BajaNomad] Edit: Thank you Doug!!! :bounce:

[Edited on 8-13-2008 by longlegsinlapaz]

oxxo - 8-13-2008 at 03:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Neal JohnsThe Bush Administration has erected a new fence along the border of Baja to keep them where they belong.


Neal, show me a 20 foot fence and I'll show you a 21 foot tall lizard!

oxxo - 8-13-2008 at 03:12 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by tehag
Maybe this one? Desert iguana - Dipsosaurus dorsalis. Fairly common in Baja Sur.


Bingo! Thank you very much, that's the guy!

CaboRon - 8-13-2008 at 03:15 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by oxxo
Quote:
Originally posted by Neal JohnsThe Bush Administration has erected a new fence along the border of Baja to keep them where they belong.


Neal, show me a 20 foot fence and I'll show you a 21 foot tall lizard!


We were surrounded by Baja Stick Lizards last night ....

They actually used their sticks to climb up on the roof ....

And the noise from their dancing kept us up all night ....

Although how they got the boom box up there for the Banda music is a mystery to me ....

A frightening experience ....

CaboRon



[Edited on 8-13-2008 by CaboRon]

Santiago - 8-13-2008 at 03:24 PM

Oxxo: The baja stick lizard is without a doubt one of the classic Amigos tales (Amigos was the board prior to Nomads). No one's ever seen them in groups (zards), only the odd loner, so we will have to take Neal's word that they aggregate.

tripledigitken - 8-13-2008 at 03:29 PM

Santiago,

Next you're going to say there's so such thing as a Jack-a-Lope or a Snipe.:lol:;D


Ken

Snipe hunting

bacquito - 8-13-2008 at 03:47 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by tripledigitken
Santiago,

Next you're going to say there's so such thing as a Jack-a-Lope or a Snipe.:lol:;D


Ken [/quo

Snipe hunting- it brings back fond memories! I have not hunted snipe for years and was always unsuccessful. Perhaps in the future we can insist that all potential Nomads be required to have a successful Snipe hunt! That way we can filter out the less serious from the truly dedicated:P

BajaHawk - 8-13-2008 at 05:47 PM

No Snipes! I beg to differ. ;D

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snipe